Korea's H-Line Shipping, a specialist in dedicated carriers, has signed a contract valued at KRW 127.1bn ($87.43m) for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel.

The order, secured via HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC), comes amid projected growth in the market for crude oil carriers, LNG carriers, and LNG bunkering vessels, spurred by anticipated expansions in oil and natural gas drilling as well as the resumption of LNG exports under the second Trump administration.

The contracted vessel will measure 144 metres in length, 25.2 metres in width, and 12.8 metres in depth, capable of supplying up to 18,000 cbm of LNG in a single operation directly to LNG-fuelled ships.

The ship facilitates ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering, allowing LNG-fuelled vessels to receive fuel directly at sea without the need to dock.

It will be fitted with two independent LNG tanks certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and feature a dual-fuel propulsion system that operates on both LNG and marine diesel oil (MDO). This advanced setup will aim to optimise operational efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.

Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJSC, noted: "As global LNG demand and supply continue to grow, the LNG bunkering vessel market will see steady expansion."

He added: "We will focus on strengthening our expertise in building eco-friendly, high-value-added ships, securing a competitive edge that aligns with our legacy as a leader in shipbuilding."

HJSC previously built the world's first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel, Engie Zeebrugge, which was delivered in 2017.